By the time I reach the other end of the pavilion, I’m glamoured into a different male. The unfortunate part is, I’m in armor, and the twin was not.
I yank off my helmet, leaving it behind in the snow, but I can’t strip down the rest. I clasp the gray cloak around me tighter, just to try and make it less obvious that I’m wearing a chest plate beneath.
My eyes scan the stone statues as I pass them by. Their chiseled bodies and fae-like faces are all eerily the same and completely still. The rock they’re formed with is in layers of gray, and frost is gathered on their smooth heads like clumps of hair.
As I pass them row by row, I get the uneasy sensation that their motionless, pupil-less eyes are following me, even though I know they aren’t.
Still, I hurry forward, aiming for the building ahead, where the king and his army advisors are gathered. My heart beats like a hammer against my chest as I make my way closer, but I force my borrowed face to stay calm and expressionless while I inwardly give myself a pep talk.
Go in. Get close to the king. Kill him. That’s it. Three easy steps.
I can do this. I’m a Vulmi. I’ve done lots of difficult missions.
And if I succeed, I could make the difference for thousands of Orean lives.
Fear sticks to my spine, but I force my shoulders back. Shaking my arm slightly, I shift the dagger caught up my sleeve. Its presence makes me feel better.
Sweat drips down the side of my face, but then I’m only a dozen steps away.
I can hear voices inside. One of them is King Carrick.
My self-preservation kicks in, screaming at me to turn around and get as far away as possible, but I ignore it.
I’m a Vulmi, I tell myself again. Just like my parents were. Vulmin don’t tuck and run. We rise with the dawn and we fight.
Here goes everything.
CHAPTER 53
EMONIE
Just as my boot hitsthe first step leading up the building, someone comes out through the doorway.
I freeze.
I don’t know what I did to piss off Droni, my favorite goddess, but she is clearlynotfavoring me right now.
Because the person that comes out isthe other twin.
My eyes go wide for a split second before I can stop myself and move out of the way. “What are you doing back already?” he says to me, barely looking in my direction.
My body flushes with hot panic, and for a moment, I don’t know what to do. But instinct takes over and I turn on my heel and walk beside him, because it seems like that’s what he expects.
I steal a look over my shoulder at the building as I get further away from it.
Dammit!
Inwardly, I’m panicking so much that it takes me a couple seconds to realize he’s speaking. “…shouldn’t do. Because now, we’ll have to test out our power on that as well.Whilemaintaining our current hold. It won’t be easy.”
I say nothing, because while I can grit through a male impersonation, I’m sure this fae knows his brother’s voice better than his own. Or maybe it’s his own voice too since they’re twins? Something to ponder.
Silently, of course.
“He may want us to go with him. But we’re close now, Fassa. Once this is over, we’re going to be the richest fae in Annwyn for our service to the crown. We’ll get our choice of land here in Orea too.” He pauses. “Pruinn is probably dead. But no matter. That means we won’t have to split the pie with him any longer.”
I bob my head in agreement, though I have no idea who Pruinn is.
“What’s wrong with you?” he suddenly asks as we begin to walk beneath the pavilion. I almost stumble with nervousness, but I shake my head, trying to play it off.
